CHANDIGARH, November 27 — A shutdown call by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha drew a small crowd on Thursday, despite sweeping security arrangements and expectations of a strong turnout after last evening’s scuffle at Gate No. 2.
Police and RAF personnel were posted across the campus since morning, anticipating a repeat of the November 10 confrontation between students from Punjab and Haryana. Water cannon vans and riot-control teams remained stationed near key buildings, including the Administrative Block.
But by late morning, only a few students had gathered outside the Vice Chancellor’s office. Representatives of farmer unions reached the campus close to 3 p.m., far later than expected.
“Earlier, students were raising issues related only to the university, but it has now openly turned into a Haryana-Punjab situation,” said Mohit Manderana, joint secretary of the Panjab University Campus Students Council. “Because of that, many students are stepping back. The administration is also very weak, as it has failed to stand by its own decisions.”
The Bachao Morcha had urged unions and students to support its second “PU Bandh” call this month. Rumors of a large show of strength circulated after yesterday’s protest, when students blocked Gate No. 2 to oppose shifting exam centers to DAV College. Instead, the protest remained routine, with chants focused mainly on the need for early Senate election notification.
“Today’s show clearly reflects the differences between students from Punjab and Haryana,” said a protesting student. “After November 10, many Haryana students have pulled back. Outsiders are still coming and leaving, but the turnout on campus was thin.”
Sandeep, representing the Bachao Morcha, said the group considered the protest a success. “Our agenda was a peaceful PU shutdown. Since the authorities conceded our demands, our protest has been successful. State forces were deployed to stop people from joining, but the call still worked,” he said.
Some students claimed several prominent protest faces were attending the farmers’ rally in Sector 43, contributing to the low turnout.
The campus market remained closed due to a predeclared holiday. Langar continued at the protest site, and students said the sit-in would continue.
